Song of Horror – developed by Protocol Games and published by Raiser Games – is a cinematic, third-person horror game inspired by the written works of Poe, Lovecraft, and M.R. James. Released episodically and subsequently compiled into a full release for most platforms, it has received considerable critical acclaim. Bucking the common trend of moving to digital exclusively, Meridiem Games will now launch a boxed Deluxe Edition for PlayStation 4.
The boxed Deluxe Edition includes the game, a special artwork sleeve, a map that players can use to note clues they find during their playthrough, and a character guide that explains their unique abilities and relationship to the overarching story.
We’ll have our review up soon, but if you’re curious, Song of Horror is a throwback to the age of classic horror games when fixed camera angles and tank-controls were all the rage.
Famed writer, Sebastian P. Husher goes missing, along with his entire family. After his editor sends an assistant to his home (who also fails to return) the game kicks off in earnest. The playertakes control of up to 13 distinctive protagonists, and must confront a dark entity known only as “The Presence”. The Presence is controlled by an AI that adapts to your playstyle, generating tension and horrifying scenes dynamically, rather than using scripted events.
Protagonists have a unique set of skills, goals, and background knowledge of events; changing up how they interpret evidence and handle supernatural events. However, every character can die, leaving you to pick up the story with a new one. Lose them all and it’s game over (though fear not, there are checkpoints if you want them!). Maximising the sense of dread is the choice of classic horror environments you’ll traverse, such as a mysterious antique shop, a forgotten abbey, and – of course – an abandoned mental hospital.
The boxed Deluxe Edition of Song of Horror for PlayStation 4 will be available in European and Australian dedicated gaming stores on July 20 and can be pre-ordered from the Meridiem Games website.
